The popularity of OceanGate’s Titanic-touring submersible has skyrocketed after a segment on CBS Sunday Morning showcased the innovative and resourceful nature of the vessel. In the segment, reporter David Pogue explores the sub and highlights features such as lighting purchased from Camping World and a modified gaming controller used for steering. Pogue notes the improvised elements of the sub, but OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush explains that the capsule itself was developed through collaborations with Boeing and NASA.
A recent clip on Twitter, viewed over 21.6 million times, focuses on the safety concerns surrounding the submersible. Pogue reads from a waiver he had to sign before a test dive, which states that the sub is an experimental vessel without approval or certification from regulatory bodies, and therefore poses potential risks. Back in 2018, industry leaders warned about the catastrophic consequences of OceanGate’s decision to forgo inspections and certifications, as reported by the New York Times. Despite these concerns, OceanGate now offers tickets to the Titanic tour at a price of up to $250,000 per ticket.
Pogue acknowledges the risks he took during his dive into the Titanic. He recalls being scared before the dive, as it was his first experience with potential life-threatening danger. However, Rush assured him of the vessel’s safety measures, including an oxygen supply and multiple ways to reach the surface. Pogue questions why the submersible hasn’t resurfaced yet, considering the reassurances given. Rush explains that a leak or entanglement could pose real danger, although highly unlikely. Dr. Michael Guillen, who had a similar experience during a 2000 visit to the Titanic, also recounted his fear when a submersible got temporarily stuck, according to Yahoo.
Pogue encountered challenges during his test dives. The first dive failed due to loose floats on the platform used to lower the Titan submersible into the water. On the second dive, Pogue was in the control room of the sub’s mother ship when the sub went missing for five hours. The sub’s navigation relies on text messages sent from the mother ship. During those tense hours, the ship’s internet was disconnected to prevent communication about the situation. Despite extensive search efforts, covering 7,600 square miles of ocean, the missing sub has not been found yet. Coast Guard Capt. Jason Frederick confirmed this information, as reported by USA Today. (Read more Titanic stories.)
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